NZ560714A

NZ560714A - Locking mechanism for coupling to pneumatic plugs to prevent theft using a padlock

Info

Publication number: NZ560714A
Application number: NZ560714A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: David Blanch
Original assignee: Assa Abloy Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-08-17
Filing date: 2007-08-17
Publication date: 2008-10-31
Also published as: AU2007209791B2; AU2007209791C1; AU2007209791A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a lock assembly (1) for locking onto a coupling plug (3). The lock assembly (1) includes a housing (2) for receiving the plug (3). The assembly (1) also includes an actuator (4) which is movable between a lock position and a release position. The lock assembly (1) also includes at least one detent (11) which is movable between an active position and an inactive position in response to movement of the actuator between the lock position and the release position. The lock assembly (1) also includes a locking means that when operable retains the actuator (4) in a lock position.

Description

17. AUG. 2007 14:29 PHILLIPS ORMONDE & FITZPATRICK WO. 6478 P. 5 *10054669630* Patent Form No. 5 NEW ZEALAND Patents Act 1953 56 07 U COMPLETE SPECIFICATION TITLE: COUPLING PLUG LOCK We ASSA ABLOY Australia Pty Limited, an Australian company, of 235 Huntingdale Road, Oakleigh, Victoria; 3166, Australia, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 17 AUG 2007 C El V E D 17. AUG. 2007-14:29 PHILLIPS ORMONDE & FITZPATRICK NO. 6478 P. 2 COUPLING PLUG LOCK This application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent 6 Application No. 2006904467 filed on 17 August 2006, the contents of which are to be taken as incorporated herein by this reference.

This invention relates to a lock assembly for locking onto a coupling plug so as to control access to the plug. A coupling plug and socket is often used on 10 hydraulic or pneumatic lines so as to provide a disconnection point, It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention with reference to this particular application, it is to be appreciated however that the invention has other applications.

The coupling plugs of the foregoing kind tend to have a cylindrical shaft with a recess formed in the shaft which receives a detent associated with the socket of the coupling when the socket is coupled to the plug. The socket is often located at the end of a hydraulic or pneumatic line and the plug is mounted to an object that requires pressurised fluid to operate. Accordingly 20 using a lock assembly to obstruct access to the plug can render the object inoperable. Thfs can stop or at least discourage unauthorized persons stealing or operating the object.

It is often difficult to appreciate whether a lock assembly is in a locked 25 condition, and generally users are required to physically test the lock assembly to confirm it is locked. This is particularly the case where the plug lock assembly has a cylindrical housing for housing a cylinder lock. Operation of the cylinder lock generally rotates one part of the cylindrical housing relative to another part. The operation of the cylinder lock requires the user to turn a key from a start 30 position to a lock position and return to the start position to enable the key to be retracted. This can result in the user turning the key but failing to reach the lock position. Furthermore rotation of the key may cause both parts of the housing to rotate rather than causing relative rotation which can fool the user into believing the lock assembly is locked.

PA5andr?D«ar\Ccynptae AfpdealioM IRN 60825$ * ASSA - Gwf*ng Plug Ltfk 1? Aug 07,06c WG. 2007~ 14:30' PHILLIPS ORMONDE & FIT2PATRICK NO. 6478 P. 3 A reference herein to a patent document or other matter which is given as prior art is not to be taken as an admission that that document or matter was, in Australia, known or that the information it contains was part of the common 5 general knowledge as at the priority date of any of the claims.

It is an object of the invention to provide a lock assembly that addressed at least one of the difficulties referred to above.

According to this invention there is provided a lock assembly for locking onto a coupling plug, the plug has a shaft extending in an axial direction, the shaft having a recess formed in a surface of the shaft, the lock assembly including; a housing defining a space within which the shaft is located when the lock assembly is in use; an actuator which is movable at least in use in the axial direction relative to the housing between a locked position and a release position; at least one detent movable in a direction substantially transverse to the axial direction between an active position and an inactive position, the at least one detent is located in the recess when in the active position and retained in the active position when the actuator is moved to the locked position, locking means that when operable retains the actuator in the locked position.

The actuator preferably includes a drive surface that cooperates with the at least one detent when the actuator is moved to the locked position to retain the detent in the active position. The drive surface preferably engages the at least one detent when the actuator is in the locked position.

The drive surface preferably includes a first portion that cooperates with the detent when the actuator is in the locked position, the first portion of the drive surface extending substantially parallel to the axial direction. The drive surface also preferably includes a second portion extending transversely to the axial direction whereby the detent cooperates with the first portion when P:tS3ndrsDt?AC()fflpie{e Applications 1RN 60825S - A5$A - Cttptfnp Plug Uck 17 AUQ 07<doe 17. AUG. 2007-14: 30 PHILLIPS ORMONDE & FITZPATRICK NO. 6478 P. 8 4 approaching the locked position so as to urge the detent towards the active position. The second portion of the drive surface is preferably substantially frusta-conical with the conical axis being coaxial with the axial direction. The drive surface also preferably includes a third portion extending substantially 5 parallel to the axial direction that cooperates with the detent when the actuator is in the release position so as to retain the detent adjacent the housing. It is preferred that the drive surface is substantially continuous when viewed in cross section transverse to the axial direction so as to enable cooperation with the detent by the actuator in any rotational position of the actuator relative to the 10 housing.

The housing preferably includes an aperture for each detent which extends from the space in a direction substantially transverse to the axial direction, each detent being movable within its aperture to move between the 15 active position and the inactive position. It is preferred that the housing includes a plurality of apertures, each aperture accommodating one of said at least one detent. It is further preferred that each aperture is evenly spaced from each adjacent aperture.

It is preferred that the housing includes a tail portion having an opening to the space through which opening the shaft enters the space. The tail portion preferably includes a retainer that engages the second portion of the drive surface when the actuator is in the locked position so as to limit axial movement of the actuator. The retainer is preferably in the form of a circlip.

It is preferred that the housing includes a head portion for accommodating the locking means so that the locking means interacts with the head portion and the actuator to retain the actuator in the locked position. It is preferred that the head portion includes an aperture for accommodating a 30 shackle of the locking means in the form of a padlock. It is further preferred that the aperture is obstructed by the actuator when In the release position so that it can not receive the shackle, and exposed when the actuator is in the locked position so that it can receive the shackle. It is further preferred that the head P;\&jnarBDwr£ome«L£ Anteiions irn SW25S - aSSA - Ccvping Plus La* 17 Aug Q7j#c 17. AUG. 20Q7"14:30' PHILLIPS ORMONDE & FIT2PATRICK NO, 6478 P. 9 portion engages a ledge formed on the actuator when in the release position so as to limit axial movement of the actuator.

It would be convenient to hereinafter describe an example of the 5 invention with reference to the attached drawings. It is to be appreciated however that the drawings are merely illustrative of how the invention might be put into effect, so that the specific form and arrangement of the various features as shown is not to be understood as limiting on the invention.

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the lock assembly locked onto a coupling plug.

Figure 2 is an exploded isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the lock assembly without the padlock from Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the lock assembly from Figure 2 located on the coupling plug while an actuator is in a release position.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the lock assembly from Figure 3 with the actuator in a locked position.

Figure 5 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the lock assembly from Figure 2 spaced from the plug with the actuator in the release position.

Figure 1 illustrates the lock assembly 1 which in summary includes the features of a housing 2 for location over a coupling plug 3, an actuator 4 shown in a locked position, and a locking means 5 illustrated in the form of a padlock retaining the actuator 4 in the locked position. The function of the padlock 5 is to stop the actuator 4 from moving axially relative to the housing 2. The padlock 5 may be substituted by some other form of locking means such as a cylinder lock however a padlock is currently preferred due to its simplicity. It is preferred that P.^endnDeirtCMiplelt ftepllraliens IRN 609263 - ASSA. Coupifig Plug LkK 17 Am 97.3« 17- AUG. 200ri4:30 PHILLIPS ORMONDE & FITZPATRICK NO. 6478 P. 10 6 the padlock be a key operated padlock, however other forms of padlock such as a combination padlock may also be suitable.

Referring now to Figure 2 which illustrates the housing 2 having a head 5 portion 6 including an aperture 7 for accommodating a shackle 8 (see Fig.1) of the padlock 5. A body portion 9 of the housing 2 extends from the head portion 6 which is formed with a plurality of apertures 10 spaced around the body. Only two of the four preferred apertures can be seen in this Figure. These apertures 10 accommodate detents 11 which in the embodiment illustrated are in the form 10 of spheres. The shape number and arrangement of the spheres 11 around the body 9 may differ from that shown. The housing 2 also includes a tail portion 12 formed with an annular groove 13 for accommodating a retainer 14 in the form of a circlip.

The tail portion 12 of the housing 2 is formed with an opening 15 to a space 16 within the housing 2. The space 16 is shaped to accommodate a shaft 17 of the plug 3. The shape of the space 16 may vary in accordance with the shape of the shaft 17 and whilst a cylindrical space 16 is shown, this may differ. The plug 3 includes an attachment portion 25 made up of a threaded shaft 26 20 for location in a threaded socket (not show) of the object (not shown) to which the plug 3 is attached. The attachment portion 25 also includes a driven portion 27 that is configured to interact with a drive means (not shown) for facilitating the attachment of the plug 3. The preferred driven portion 27 illustrated is a hex head which is suitable for interaction with a spanner, however the form of driven 25 portion 27 may vary from that shown.

The actuator 4 shown is in the form of a cylindrical collar that fits over the body 9 of the housing. The function of a portion of an inner surface 18 of the actuator is to interact with the detents 11 and the housing 2 to move the detents 30 11 radially inward of the housing 2. This can be better described with reference to Figure 3, Figure 3 illustrates the portion of the inner surface 18 of which will be referred to as the drive surface 19. The drive surface has a first portion 20, second portion 21 and third portion 22. Whilst the first 20 and third portions 22 are illustrated as being parallel to an axis XX of the shaft, the first portion 20 is P.ASaKlrB&ea^Oompleie Appticafotn IRN (OBZ5S - ASSA ■ Coupling Bus Wcfc 17 Aug or Me n-AUG. 2007" 4:31 PHILLIPS ORMONDE 4 FITZPATRICK «0.6478 P. 7 of a smaller diameter than the third portion 22. The second portion 21 extends at an angle transverse to the axis XX providing a ramp between the first portion 20 and the third portion 22.

Figure 3 illustrates the actuator 4 in the release position whereby the detents 11 cooperate with at least the third portion 22 of the drive surface 9 so that they are retained in the apertures 10. By moving the actuator 4 axially towards the plug 3, the detents 11 engage the second portion 21 of the drive surface 19 and are urged to move further within each aperture 10. Furthermore 10 the detents 11 are urged to locate within a recess 23 formed on the surface of the shaft 17 of the plug. The location of the detents 11 in the recess 23 is better illustrated in Figure 4. The recess 23 can be more easily seen in Figure 2.

Referring now to Figure 4 which illustrates the detents 11 cooperating 15 with the first portion 20 of the drive surface 19 so that they cannot be moved radially outward relative to the shaft 17. This reveals the aperture 7 in the head portion 6 of the housing 2 which indicates to the user that the actuator 4 is in the locked position, or more specifically the detents 11 are in an active position within the recess 23 of the shaft 17.

Axial movement of the actuator 4 relative to the housing 2 beyond the locked position is limited by the circlip 14 retainer engaging the second portion 21 of the drive surface 19 as shown in Figure 4. Whereas the head portion 6 of the housing 2 engages a ledge 24 of the actuator shown in Figure 3 to limit axial 25 movement beyond the release position. Clearly other means for limiting axial movement of the actuator 4 relative to the housing 2 are possible.

Figure 4 also illustrates the actuator 4 positioned over the driven portion 27 when in the locked position. The actuator 4 in this position presents a barrier 30 to an unauthorised user attempting to use a spanner to remove the plug 3 from the object. This further enhances the level of security that the lock assembly provides.

PASarWrabertConplde Apriteiitiits IRN 809253 - ASSA - Coupbg Plug Lock Aug 07.doc 17. AUG. 2007~14:31 PHILLIPS ORMONDE & FITZPATRICK NO. 6478 P. 12 8 Figure 5 illustrates the actuator 4 and housing 2 spaced from the plug 3 and with the padlock 5 detached from the housing 2. The actuator 4 is obstructing the aperture (not shown) formed in the head portion 6 of the housing. The obstruction of the aperture in the head portion 6 provides the user 5 with a visual indication that the actuator is not in the locked position. When the user compares the configuration shown in Figure 5 with that shown in Figure 1 the user can appreciate that with the aperture 7 no longer obstructed the actuator 4 is in the locked position. This is a particular benefit of the lock assembly according to the invention, Furthermore as the movement of the 10 actuator 4 relative to the housing is axial rather than rotational, the user can lock the lock assembly onto the coupling plug with greater certainty that the actuator 4 is in the locked position. Furthermore it will be appreciated from the foregoing description that the present invention provides a relatively simple means for locking on to a coupling plug.

Various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the construction arrangement of parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

F:\5BWWUMfiCant1** IRN (OB2S3 ■ ASSA - Couples Lock 17 Aufi Of .aoc

Claims

17, AUG. 2007 14:31 ' PHILLIPS ORMONDE & FITZPATRICK N0,6478 9 THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A lock assembly for locking onto a coupling plug which has a shaft extending in an axial direction, the shaft having a recess formed in a surface of 5 the shaft, the lock assembly including; a housing defining a space within which the shaft is located when the lock assembly is in use; an actuator which is movable in the axial direction relative to the housing between a locked position and a release position; 10 at least one detent movable in a direction substantially transverse to the axial direction between an active position and an inactive position, the at least one detent is located in the recess when in the active position and retained in the active position when the outer member is moved to the locked position, locking means that when operable retains the actuator in the locked 15 position.

2. A lock assembly according to claim 1 wherein the actuator includes a drive surface that cooperates with the at least one detent when the actuator is moved to the locked position to retain the detent in the active position.

3. A lock assembly according to claim 2 wherein the drive surface engages the at least one detent when the actuator is in the locked position,'

4. A lock assembly according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the drive surface 25 includes a first portion that cooperates with the detent when the actuator is in the locked position, the first portion of the drive surface extending substantially parallel to the axial direction.

5. A lock assembly according to claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein the drive surface 30 includes a second portion extending transversely to the axial direction whereby the detent cooperates with the second portion when approaching the locked position so as to urge the detent towards the active position. PA&BntoDttflCimvleie fuMtiOM IftN 809263- ASSA ■ Coining Pino Uek 17 Auft 07.dK

17. AUG. 2007 14: 32" PHILLIPS ORMONDE & FITZPATRICK NO. 6478 P. 10

6. A lock assembly according to claim 5 wherein the second portion of the drive surface is substantially frusto-conical with the oonical axis being coaxial with the axial direction. 5

7. A lock assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein the drive surface includes a third portion extending substantially parallel to the axial direction that cooperates with the detent when the actuator is in the release position so as to retain the detent adjacent the housing. 10

8. A lock assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 7 wherein the drive surface is substantially continuous when viewed in cross section transverse to the axial direction so as to enable the cooperation with the detent by the actuator in any rotational position of the actuator relative to the housing. 15

9. A lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the housing includes an aperture for each detent which extends from the space in a direction substantially transverse to the axial direction, each detent being movable within its aperture to move between the active position and the inactive position. 20

10. A lock assembly according to claim 9 wherein the housing includes a plurality of apertures, each aperture accommodating one of said at least one detent. 25

11. A lock assembly according to claim 10 wherein each aperture is evenly spaced from each adjacent aperture.

12. A lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the housing includes a tall portion having an opening to the space through 30 which opening the shaft enters the space.

13. A lock assembly according to claim 12 wherein the tail portion includes a retainer that engages the second portion of the drive surface when the actuator is in the locked position so as to limit axial movement of the actuator. P:ASandrBDc*rtCompl«ie Apeftcailgni IRN G0225S ■ ASSA - Couples Plug Lock 17 Aug Q7.ooc;17. AUG. 2007"14:32 PHILLIPS ORMONDE & FITZPATRICK NO. 6478 P.;11;

14. A lock assembly according to claim 13 wherein the retainer is in the form of a circlip.;5

15. A lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the housing includes a head portion for accommodating the locking means so that the locking means interacts with the head portion and the actuator to retain the actuator in the locked position.;10 16. A lock assembly according to claim 15 wherein the head portion includes an aperture for accommodating a shackle of the locking means in the form of a padlock.;17. A lock assembly according to claim 16 wherein the aperture is obstructed 15 by the actuator when in the release position so that it can not receive the shackle, and exposed when the actuator is in the locked position so that it can receive the shackle.;18. A lock assembly according to any one of claims 15 to 17 wherein the 20 head portion engages a ledge formed on the actuator when in the release position so as to limit axial movement of the actuator.;19. A lock assembly according to any one of the proceeding claims wherein the plug includes an attachment portion for attaching the plug to an object, the;25 shaft extends from the attachment portion, wherein the actuator interacts with the attachment portion when in the locked position so as to deter unauthorised detachment of the plug from the object.;20. A lock assembly according to claim 19 wherein the attachment portion 30 includes a driven portion that is configured to interact with a drive means to facilitate attachment of the plug to the object, wherein the actuator is positioned relative the driven portion when in the locked position so as to present a barrier to the drive means interacting with the driven portion.;P.AS»idr«D«riCoinplele AfiplicalionE IRN 80B253-ASSA - CouoMePlug Loe* 1?Aua07/c:

17. AUG, 2 007~ 14:32 PHILLIPS ORMONDE & FITZPATRICK NO. 6478 P.

16. 5 6 0 7 14 12

21. A lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the locking means is a key operated locking means.

22. A lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein 5 the locking means is attached to the housing when in an operable condition and detached from the housing when in an inoperable condition. intellectual property OFFICE OF N.Z. '7 AUG 2007 RECEIV E D Awwadwu IRM M92S3 - A65A - Covins PWa LockAuf W joe